Mother could stand trial in child abuse case

A judge on Tuesday accepted doctors' reports that a Thibodaux woman is capable of standing trial on charges that she abused her baby, causing extensive injuries.

But the doctors still need to determine Tiffany Ellinger's mental condition at the time of the alleged crime.

Ellinger, 20, was arrested Feb. 9 and charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

According to Thibodaux Police, her baby was taken to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in late January after showing "severe symptoms of illness." The baby was later transferred to Children's Hospital in New Orleans.

Police said the baby showed signs of abuse and, at one point, stopped breathing. The baby sustained multiple injuries, including bleeding on the brain, broken bones and a spinal cord injury, and is now in the custody of other family members.

Ellinger told police she'd suffered from severe depression since the baby was born. Her Houma attorney, Teresa King, raised the issue of mental illness and asked state District Judge John LeBlanc for a sanity hearing, which was held Tuesday in Thibodaux.

LeBlanc said Gretna forensic psychologist Rafael Salcedo and New Orleans psychiatrist Richard Richoux examined Ellinger and found her competent to stand trial, although Richoux noted that she was "clearly depressed."

However, LeBlanc said, the doctors requested additional documentation to determine if Ellinger was mentally competent when the alleged crime occurred. Another hearing will be scheduled on that matter.

The doctors' reports were filed under seal, so it wasn't clear what specific information they requested.

First Assistant District Attorney Kristine Russell is prosecuting the case.

Ellinger remained in the Lafourche Parish jail Tuesday in lieu of a $40,000 bond.

If convicted of second-degree cruelty to juveniles, she could face up to 40 years in prison.

-- Staff Writer Bridget Mire can be reached at 448-7639 or bridget.mire@dailycomet.com. Follow her on Twitter @bridget_mire.

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